“)) {
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$venue=substr($rowvalue, $starter+12, $amount-12);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
If($team==0)$away_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
If($team==0)$away_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
If($team==0)$away_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
If($team==0)$away_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
If($team==0)$away_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
If($team==0)$away_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
If($team==0)$away_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
$team–;
}

}
echo $away_first_name . ” ” . $away_last_name . ” (” . $away_throwing_hand . “) (” . $away_wins . “-” . $away_losses . “, ” . $away_era . ” ERA, ” . $away_so . ” K) @ ” . $home_first_name . ” ” . $home_last_name . ” (” . $home_throwing_hand . “) (” . $home_wins . “-” . $home_losses . “, ” . $home_era . ” ERA, ” . $home_so . ” K)

“.$gametime.” EST @ “. $venue;
?>

The Pirates stay in Chicago and move across town for 3 games against the Cubbies.

Happy Memorial Day!

Post Game Update
The Post Gazette reported today that the Pirates haven’t shown interest in extending the contracts of Adam LaRoche, John Grabow, or Jack Wilson past this season.

Ryan Doumit is progressing. He hopes to be back on the field sometime in June.

Matt Capps was hurt by a line drive to the elbow in the 9th inning. Hopefully he’s OK.

Freddy Sanchez went 6/6 tonight.

The Pirates have 24 hits in the last 2 games.

cubs

Live Updates: “, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$good_stuff=substr($rowvalue, $starter+13, $amount-14);
if($starter>$teamchange)$home=1;
$inningarray[$counter]=$inning;
$homearray[$counter]=$home;
$playarray[$counter]=$good_stuff;
$starterarray[$counter]=$starter;
$counter++;
$starter=$starter+1;
}
}

array_multisort($inningarray, $homearray, $starterarray, $playarray);

$loopcount=0;
$currentinning=0;
$currenthalf=1;
while($loopcount$currentinning){
echo(“
Inning $inningarray[$loopcount]
“);
$currentinning++;
}
if($homearray[$loopcount]!=$currenthalf){
if($homearray[$loopcount]==0){echo(“
Away
“);$currenthalf=0;}
if($homearray[$loopcount]==1){echo(“
Home
“);$currenthalf=1;}
}
echo($playarray[$loopcount].”
“);
$loopcount++;
}

?>

“)) {
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$venue=substr($rowvalue, $starter+12, $amount-12);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
If($team==0)$away_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
If($team==0)$away_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
If($team==0)$away_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
If($team==0)$away_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
If($team==0)$away_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
If($team==0)$away_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
If($team==0)$away_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
$team–;
}

}
echo $away_first_name . ” ” . $away_last_name . ” (” . $away_throwing_hand . “) (” . $away_wins . “-” . $away_losses . “, ” . $away_era . ” ERA, ” . $away_so . ” K) @ ” . $home_first_name . ” ” . $home_last_name . ” (” . $home_throwing_hand . “) (” . $home_wins . “-” . $home_losses . “, ” . $home_era . ” ERA, ” . $home_so . ” K)

“.$gametime.” EST @ “. $venue;
?>

Post Game Update
16 hits, including 3 when the Pirates were down to their last out helped the Pirates get a win against the Chicago White Sox. Down 1, with 2 outs in the ninth, Jack Wilson hit a home run to tie the game. Nyjer Morgan followed with a double and Delwyn Young knocked him in to score the go-ahead run. Matt Capps finally showed some command, striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth. Hopefully Joe Kerrigan’s adjustments are starting to make a difference.

The Bucs made some bone-headed base-running mistakes, but I’ll take the win.

wilsonhr

Live Updates: “, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$good_stuff=substr($rowvalue, $starter+13, $amount-14);
if($starter>$teamchange)$home=1;
$inningarray[$counter]=$inning;
$homearray[$counter]=$home;
$playarray[$counter]=$good_stuff;
$starterarray[$counter]=$starter;
$counter++;
$starter=$starter+1;
}
}

array_multisort($inningarray, $homearray, $starterarray, $playarray);

$loopcount=0;
$currentinning=0;
$currenthalf=1;
while($loopcount$currentinning){
echo(“
Inning $inningarray[$loopcount]
“);
$currentinning++;
}
if($homearray[$loopcount]!=$currenthalf){
if($homearray[$loopcount]==0){echo(“
Away
“);$currenthalf=0;}
if($homearray[$loopcount]==1){echo(“
Home
“);$currenthalf=1;}
}
echo($playarray[$loopcount].”
“);
$loopcount++;
}

?>

“)) {
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$venue=substr($rowvalue, $starter+12, $amount-12);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
If($team==0)$away_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
If($team==0)$away_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
If($team==0)$away_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
If($team==0)$away_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
If($team==0)$away_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
If($team==0)$away_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
If($team==0)$away_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
$team–;
}

}
echo $away_first_name . ” ” . $away_last_name . ” (” . $away_throwing_hand . “) (” . $away_wins . “-” . $away_losses . “, ” . $away_era . ” ERA, ” . $away_so . ” K) @ ” . $home_first_name . ” ” . $home_last_name . ” (” . $home_throwing_hand . “) (” . $home_wins . “-” . $home_losses . “, ” . $home_era . ” ERA, ” . $home_so . ” K)

“.$gametime.” EST @ “. $venue;
?>

Post Game Update
The Pirates won their 3rd consecutive game against the Washington Nationals. The Bucs took the lead on a bases loaded wild pitch in the ninth.

Matt Capps came in and collected the save, though he nearly gave up a walk-off home run to Josh Willingham.

In other news, the Pirates have apparently been so successful in the city of Washington that they were invited to the White House today. Manager John Russell declined his visit saying that he’ll wait for a World Series ring.

capps1

Live Updates: “, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$good_stuff=substr($rowvalue, $starter+13, $amount-14);
if($starter>$teamchange)$home=1;
$inningarray[$counter]=$inning;
$homearray[$counter]=$home;
$playarray[$counter]=$good_stuff;
$starterarray[$counter]=$starter;
$counter++;
$starter=$starter+1;
}
}

array_multisort($inningarray, $homearray, $starterarray, $playarray);

$loopcount=0;
$currentinning=0;
$currenthalf=1;
while($loopcount$currentinning){
echo(“
Inning $inningarray[$loopcount]
“);
$currentinning++;
}
if($homearray[$loopcount]!=$currenthalf){
if($homearray[$loopcount]==0){echo(“
Away
“);$currenthalf=0;}
if($homearray[$loopcount]==1){echo(“
Home
“);$currenthalf=1;}
}
echo($playarray[$loopcount].”
“);
$loopcount++;
}

?>

“)) {
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$venue=substr($rowvalue, $starter+12, $amount-12);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
If($team==0)$away_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
If($team==0)$away_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
If($team==0)$away_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
If($team==0)$away_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
If($team==0)$away_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
If($team==0)$away_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
If($team==0)$away_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
$team–;
}

}
echo $away_first_name . ” ” . $away_last_name . ” (” . $away_throwing_hand . “) (” . $away_wins . “-” . $away_losses . “, ” . $away_era . ” ERA, ” . $away_so . ” K) @ ” . $home_first_name . ” ” . $home_last_name . ” (” . $home_throwing_hand . “) (” . $home_wins . “-” . $home_losses . “, ” . $home_era . ” ERA, ” . $home_so . ” K)

“.$gametime.” EST @ “. $venue;
?>

Nyjer Morgan sat tonight’s game out because of a sore hamstring. It doesn’t sound like any major problem.

The Pirates put 4 singles and a walk together in the bottom half of the 2nd inning to score 4 runs. Bullpens were a big part of this game because rain started to fall in the bottom half of the 2nd inning, and there was a 1:37 delay.

Apparently, Joe Kerrigan has found a mechanical flaw in Matt Capps’s delivery. He allowed a walk in the 9th, but he still walked away with the save.

umbrella

Live Updates: “, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$good_stuff=substr($rowvalue, $starter+13, $amount-14);
if($starter>$teamchange)$home=1;
$inningarray[$counter]=$inning;
$homearray[$counter]=$home;
$playarray[$counter]=$good_stuff;
$starterarray[$counter]=$starter;
$counter++;
$starter=$starter+1;
}
}

array_multisort($inningarray, $homearray, $starterarray, $playarray);

$loopcount=0;
$currentinning=0;
$currenthalf=1;
while($loopcount$currentinning){
echo(“
Inning $inningarray[$loopcount]
“);
$currentinning++;
}
if($homearray[$loopcount]!=$currenthalf){
if($homearray[$loopcount]==0){echo(“
Away
“);$currenthalf=0;}
if($homearray[$loopcount]==1){echo(“
Home
“);$currenthalf=1;}
}
echo($playarray[$loopcount].”
“);
$loopcount++;
}

?>

“)) {
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$venue=substr($rowvalue, $starter+12, $amount-12);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
If($team==0)$away_first_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+9, $amount-9);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
If($team==0)$away_last_name=substr($rowvalue, $starter+10, $amount-10);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
If($team==0)$away_throwing_hand=substr($rowvalue, $starter+14, $amount-14);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
If($team==0)$away_wins=substr($rowvalue, $starter+6, $amount-6);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
If($team==0)$away_losses=substr($rowvalue, $starter+8, $amount-8);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
If($team==0)$away_era=substr($rowvalue, $starter+5, $amount-5);
}
If(strpos($rowvalue, ““)){
$starter=strpos($rowvalue, ““);
$stopper=strpos($rowvalue, “
“, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
If($team==1)$home_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
If($team==0)$away_so=substr($rowvalue, $starter+4, $amount-4);
$team–;
}

}
echo $away_first_name . ” ” . $away_last_name . ” (” . $away_throwing_hand . “) (” . $away_wins . “-” . $away_losses . “, ” . $away_era . ” ERA, ” . $away_so . ” K) @ ” . $home_first_name . ” ” . $home_last_name . ” (” . $home_throwing_hand . “) (” . $home_wins . “-” . $home_losses . “, ” . $home_era . ” ERA, ” . $home_so . ” K)

“.$gametime.” EST @ “. $venue;
?>

The Rockies come to Pittsburgh for a 3 game series with the Bucs.

Post Game Update:
This game stung in every sense of the word. The Pirates are still struggling to put runs on the board, but thanks to a great start by Paul Maholm, an OK relief effort from Tyler Yates, and a good relief effort from John Grabow, the Bucs were in position to win until Matt Capps took the mound in the top of the ninth.

The only run up to that point came from a Nate McLouth single and stolen base, followed by a Craig Monroe RBI single.

In the top of the ninth, with struggling Capps at the mound, the Rockies went: Ground Rule Double, Home Run, Single, Ground Out, Fly Out, Single, Stolen Base, Single.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Bucs mysteriously pinch hit Ramon Vazquez for Andy LaRoche. Regardless, Huston Street struck out the side to collect the save that Matt Capps left on the mound.

Sigh.

mclouthscores

Live Updates: “, $starter);
$amount=$stopper-$starter;
$good_stuff=substr($rowvalue, $starter+13, $amount-14);
if($starter>$teamchange)$home=1;
$inningarray[$counter]=$inning;
$homearray[$counter]=$home;
$playarray[$counter]=$good_stuff;
$starterarray[$counter]=$starter;
$counter++;
$starter=$starter+1;
}
}

array_multisort($inningarray, $homearray, $starterarray, $playarray);

$loopcount=0;
$currentinning=0;
$currenthalf=1;
while($loopcount$currentinning){
echo(“
Inning $inningarray[$loopcount]
“);
$currentinning++;
}
if($homearray[$loopcount]!=$currenthalf){
if($homearray[$loopcount]==0){echo(“
Away
“);$currenthalf=0;}
if($homearray[$loopcount]==1){echo(“
Home
“);$currenthalf=1;}
}
echo($playarray[$loopcount].”
“);
$loopcount++;
}

?>

Joel Pineiro (4-2, 3.66) @ Ross Ohlendorf (3-3, 4.14), 7:05 P.M., PNC Park

Postgame Update:
There was a lot to feel good about in Pittsburgh last night. The Penguins destroyed the Capitals 6-2 in Game 7 of their Stanley Cup playoff series. The Pirates beat the Cardinals 5-2 and started a much-needed winning streak.

Ross Ohlendorf pitched another nice game (6IP, 2H, 1R, 5K). Pirate pitchers allowed 0 walks tonight. Matt Capps entered the game with a bit of a jam in the 9th (runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out, 4 run lead). He allowed an Albert Pujols RBI single, but then he got Chris Duncan to ground into a double play for the save.

Jack Wilson found himself at the plate tonight. He was 3-4 with an RBI double. Like I said yesterday, it’s great having him healthy again.

Adam LaRoche hit a “home run” in the 1st that was reviewed with video replay. Replay showed that the home run hit the railing and did not clear the park. The call was overturned, and LaRoche was given an RBI double. That’s the first time that video overturned a call in PNC Park history.

Finally, in non-Pirate news, Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman had a 30 game hitting streak going into last night. Unfortunately, he failed to record a hit against Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants. Zimmerman spent a few months with the Harrisburg Senators on his way up to the big leagues, so I’m a fan of his. I hope he starts a new streak tomorrow (but hopefully he doesn’t hurt us too bad in our 4 game series with the Nats next week!).

Well, we’ve got a winning streak, and we’ve guaranteed a series win against the Cardinals! We’ll be reaching for the brooms tonight.

Go Bucs!

The M-Boys: McLouth, Morgan, and Moss Celebrate the Win

The M-Boys: McLouth, Morgan, and Moss Celebrate the Win

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Todd Wellemeyer (3-2, 4.75) @ Zach Duke (3-3, 2.79), 7:05 P.M., PNC Park

I’ll be at Camden Yards, watching the O’s vs. the Rays.

Post Game Update:
I could hardly believe my eyes as the out-of-town scoreboard in Camden Yards kept updating. Thanks to 8 strong innings from Zach Duke, the Pirates beat the Cards 7-1. Through 7 games, Duke’s ERA is 2.52. Good stuff!

The Pirates got home runs from Adam LaRoche and Brandon Moss, two players who have been struggling as of recent. Hopefully, they’re starting to turn the corner.

Jack Wilson is back! Even though he went 0-4 tonight, he was part of a nice double play, and it feels really good to have him back on the field.

Currently, the biggest cause for concern is Matt Capps. He came in for the 9th inning and loaded the bases with no outs. He escaped the inning and didn’t allow any runs, but now his last 4 performances have been shaky.

April 24 – Flyout, Walk, Popout, Walk, Single – 1 run
May 2 – Single, Single, Single, Single, Flyout, K, Single, K – 2 runs
May 4 – Single, Single, Walk, SacFly, HR, K, Flyout – 4 runs
May 12 – Single, Walk, Walk, K, K, Flyout – 0 runs

Andy LaRoche scores against the Cardinals

Andy LaRoche scores against the Cardinals

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After seeing two uncharacteristically poor outings from Matt Capps, it’s not entirely surprising to hear that he will miss several games with a bruised bone in his right elbow.

Apparently Capps first felt soreness as he was taking off his shirt after his loss to the Brewers on Monday.

Luckily, no major damage was found. Hopefully this string on injuries ends soon.

On a bright note, Jack Wilson is feeling great. If all goes well, he will play a AAA rehab game on Saturday.

mattcapps1

PIRATES ASTROS

Within the same 15 minutes last night, I watched the Penguins fall to the Washington Capitals 3-2 to go down 2-0 in their NHL playoff series, and I listened to the Pirates blow an 8th inning and a 9th inning lead to lose their 16th straight game to the Milwaukee Brewers. sigh.

I know it’s unrealistic to expect the Pirates’ team to make a playoff run, and it’s probably even unrealistic to consider a .500 season, but losses like this really sting.

Paul Maholm made a strong start, giving the team a chance to win. He pitched 7 1/3 innings, gave up just six hits, struck out 7, and left with a 3-1 lead. Tyler Yates then got a 2nd out. John Grabow came in to replace Yates, and it was all downhill from there. Yates gave up a single and walk to load the bases, and then f@#$ing Ryan Braun hit a pinch hit double (for Chris Duffy) to tie the game.

Some clutch hitting in the bottom of the 8th by Jason Jaramillo put the Bucs back on top 4-3. Matt Capps came in for the 9th inning and gave up 2 singles and a walk to load the bases. A J.J. Hardy sacrifice fly and a Rickie Weeks home run put the game out of reach.

This is the 2nd consecutive game where Capps has looked bad. After seeing Saturday night’s disaster relief effort against the Reds this showing didn’t surprise me a great deal, but it’s still extremely disappointing.

On the positive side, Nate McLouth had another nice night, going 3-5 with an RBI, and I felt good with Jaramillo’s night.

We should have won this game. I guess the Brewers really do own us. I can’t wait to see what happens tonight.

Come On, Mad Capper, Let's Get it Together

Come On, Mad Capper, Let's Get it Together

I had a nice visit to Pittsburgh this weekend. I went to the game on Saturday night, which turned out to be the best game of the weekend (and the only game where a Pirate crossed home plate). It was also marathon weekend in Pittsburgh, so I enjoyed watching some friends run all over the city on Sunday.

Game 22 – Zach Duke pitched well (7 innings, 1 ER), but he got absolutely no help from the hitters. Bronson Arroyo shut down and shut out the Pirates, allowing 4 hits in 8 innings. This loss marked the 2nd game in a row where the Bucs were shutout, and it put the Pirates back to .500.

Game 23 – The Pirates got started early, putting 4 singles, a walk, and a HBP together to score 4 runs in the top of the 1st. Later, the Bucs got some help from a Brandon Phillips error that allowed 2 runs to score. In the top of the 9th, with an 8-4 lead, Matt Capps nearly imploded, but he survived with an 8-6 finish. Once again, the Pirates were a game above .500.

Game 24 – The thrill of victory was short-lived, as Johnny Cueto and Jeff Karstens took to the mound at 1:35 on Sunday afternoon. Karstens looked bad, as he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings. Again, the Bucs never got the bats moving, and they were shutout for the 3rd time in 4 games. No Pirate batter reached 2nd base in this game. Back to .500, and the Brewers are coming to PNC for a 2-game series.

Quick Thoughts
– We really need Ryan Doumit and Jack Wilson back in this lineup. Jen Langosch reported that Jack Wilson took some batting practice swings on Sunday. Ryan Doumit will rejoin the team on Friday.
– Who’s hot? – Delwyn Young looks good in the PH role. He’s 3-7 with 2 doubles. Other than giving up the 3 run homer to Lance Berkman on 4/16, Sean Burnett has pitched clean in relief.
– Who’s not? – Brian Bixler 3-15 and 10K, Brandon Moss 13-66 and OBP .243

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